Ukraine-Russia war live: US ‘feared nuclear attack’ as Pope criticised for ‘white flag’ comment

The US asked China and India for help in dissuading Russia from carrying out a nuclear strike in 2022, a US official told CNN — as the Pope provoked anger for saying Ukraine should have the courage to “raise the white flag”.

“One of the things we did was not only message them directly but strongly urge, press, encourage other countries, to whom they might be more attentive, to do the same thing,” they said, per the report.

The official added the diplomatic pressure “may have had some effect” on Russia’s thinking.

“The concern from key countries for Russia and the Global South, was also a helpful, persuasive factor and showed them what the cost of all this could be,” another US official told CNN.

It came as Ukrainian and allied officials have criticised Pope Francis for saying Kyiv should have the “courage” to negotiate an end to the war with Russia, a statement many interpreted as a call on Ukraine to surrender.

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI and partially released on Saturday, Francis used the phrase “the courage of the white flag” as he argued that Ukraine, facing a possible defeat, should be open to peace talks brokered by international powers.

India’s federal investigation agency says it has busted a major international human trafficking network involved insending workers to the Russia-Ukraine war under the guise of lucrative job offers.

Multiple from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at 15 places in seven cities including the capital New Delhi on Thursday.

The raids came amid growing media reports ofIndian nationals being unwittingly recruited to join the Russian army in its invasion of Ukraine after they moved countries in response to adverts for jobs